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The role of African fisheries and aquaculture in the CAADP1

27 September 2010, The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
URL: http://www.comesa.int/lang-en/component/content/article/547-uganda-hosts-caadp-post-compact-high-level-investment-meeting

The Right Honorable Henry Muganwa Kajura 2nd Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, and the Honorable Fred Omach, Minster for Finance, graced the Uganda CAADP Post Compact High-Level Business Meeting, which was held in Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 17th September 2010. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and the COMESA Secretariat. Honourable Hope Mwesigye, Minister for MAAIFF, opened the meeting and thanked all participants for supporting the Uganda CAADP process, and for their commitment to the objectives of the Agriculture Development Strategy and Investment Plan (DSIP). 

Dr. Francis Mangeni, Director for Trade Customs and Monetary Affairs (COMESA), representing the Secretary General of COMESA, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of the COMESA regional market for Uganda, within the context of the CAADP framework and its processes. He also underscored opportunities that will accrue from the proposed  Tripartite Grand Free Trade Area (FTA), involving COMESA, EAC and SADC. Dr. Mangeni stressed that an expanded market is significant for agriculture producers and also presents good benefits for entities acting along the agriculture value chain.|

The African Union (AU) was represented by Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy.  The meeting also brought together various key stakeholders involved in Uganda’s agriculture and food security development agenda, including the Government Experts, academics and researchers, development partners, private sector and civil society.

The objective of the meeting was to deliberate on the findings of the Independent Technical Review Team, commissioned by AUC/NEPAD and COMESA, to critically examine the Uganda Agriculture Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan (DSIP).  Issues under review ranged from: DSIP’s alignment to the CAADP values, principles, strategy and pillars; consistency of the document in relation to the country’s sector policy and wider development vision; appropriateness in the costings of programmes; contribution to the African integration agenda and other relevant components that are required to ensure marked sector growth and food security are achieved in Uganda. The team of experts also presented recommendations to the Government on how to refine the DSIP in order to ensure that it benefits the people of Uganda. Stakeholders reviewed the report and collectively agreed on the roadmap after the meeting.  This process now qualifies Uganda to access funding for the DSIP, through the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP).

Several development partners, in responding to the deliberations of the Business Meeting and the funding gap reflected by the DSIP, congratulated Uganda for this milestone in the CAADP process and pledged to provide support towards closing the budget gap. The partners reiterated their full support to the CAADP process and recognized the good and important recommendations following deep discussions around the rigorous technical review. Bilateral and multilateral partners present included the United States Government; African Development Bank; Kingdom of Denmark; European Union; FAO; Government of Japan; World Bank and; WFP. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were also represented during the meeting.